I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

Black Sabbath : Paranoid 1Y2 / 2Y1 3rd Vertigo Press 1970

This very early Vertigo pressing plays with pristine audio on both sides.  I may say it a lot but it is definitely the most STUNNING example I have ever sold.  Put simply there is no background, no interference whatsoever.  I have played every track in full and the clarity, depth, power and resonance of the audio is comparable to a record pressed this year not 56 years old!  I know that's a bold statement to make but I am 100% confident in my grading, I've been doing this long enough now!  Ok there are a handful of minor statics on 'War Pigs' but they are so so quiet and do not even qualify as background really!  'Planet Caravan' and the quieter passages on 'Hand Of Doom' play with unbelievable clarity and warmth and like I say there is no intrusion.  How often do those tracks play with that kind of quality on a Vertigo pressing?  On any pressing!  In fact the only track I have 'downgraded' is 'War Pigs'.  I have graded it as Mint- and all the others as Mint, they just could not play with any greater precision.  This classic album is easily a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing and you will not be surprised to hear that the vinyl is in pristine condition also.  No exaggeration it looks 'as new'!

The laminated cover is in lovely condition with only one small white 'mark' by the bottom edge, that is the only 'obvious' wear'.  Just look at how clean the inside is!  It is rarely found in this condition.  It has been so carefully looked after and still holds its original shape and structure perfectly.  The original Vertigo inner is in excellent shape also with just some browning on the edges.

I think this is a third pressing based on 1Y2 / 2Y1 matrix and the large Swirl on the label.  The production credit is written on one line and VERTIGO is near the bottom of the label.  There is of course no Big Bear credit on the inside of the gatefold.  On this pressing there is still no break between 'Hand Of Doom' and 'Rat Salad' on S2.

6360011 1Y//2▽ 420 1 2  1 0

6360011 2Y//1▽ 420 1 1  1 3

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The laminated gatefold is Near Mint-

The Vertigo inner sleeve is Ex-

The Vertigo labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is visually stunning and still retains an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Even looking under a bright light it is difficult to locate any hairlines!  You would not be disappointed if you had just purchased this record yesterday!  There is no groove or surface wear, no 'bag rash', and the Vertigo labels are near perfect with barely any spindle wear.

Play grading

The run in on S1 is so clean with static etc and then the intro on 'War Pigs' is just as impressive without any background.  The 'air-raid' siren could not play any better and Ward's first quiet percussive section has not even a single dust tick.  This is a Mint start!  Ozzy's opening vocal section plays with sublime clarity and as the volume increases there is no decrease in quality.  This really is clarity of the highest order!  Each instrumental - each note is so well defined and the mid instrumental is a prime example of that.  Iommi's downtuned sound is so deep and strong and the next quiet percussive section is as good as the first!  Ward's drum sound is spectacular throughout this classic, they are so high in the mix, and Butler's bass adds so much to the depth also.  The final vocal is perfect and the end instrumental is equally as strong.  I did notice 4/5 very quiet statics but obviously so quiet and totally non-intrusive, scarcely worth a mention.  Sonically this classic is 'as new' no exaggeration and Mint- is 100% deserved.

'Paranoid' then plays with phenomenal power and depth through every section.  Ozzy's vocal is never buried in the deep, resonant sound and Butler's thudding deep bass leads the track, along with Iommi!  From start to finish this class plays with a clarity and definition of the highest calibre, there is no 'muddiness' to the sound and no distortion either.  This has to grade as Mint as it could not play any better.

The gentle intro on 'Planet Caravan' plays beautifully with no intrusion and Ozzy's first delicate vocal also impresses as there is no background at all.  That clarity of sound is so rare on this track as it so often has static or worse but not this one.  You know you're onto a winner when you hear things you haven't noticed before and that is especially true on the percussive front.  Every verse plays with crystal clear audio and this is easily the most STUNNING version I have ever heard.  Iommi's gentle end section plays with a clarity you just never hear and you really notice the piano 'sound' here.  I only heard a couple of minor statics during this number and the long fade out has no background whatsoever.  I do not think I have ever heard a Mint version on such an early Vertigo pressing but I am 100% confident we have on here!

The percussive intro on 'Iron Man' is nigh on perfect with just one barely audible static and the 'first' vocal has no interference.  The instrumental bridge is flawless and Ozzy's opening vocal is on the same level.  It continues in the same precise way and the lack of any inner groove distortion is a genuine stand out feature.  If you hadn't thought already it is patently obvious this album has hardly been played and that is reflected in every track and especially the final one on each side.  The mid instrumental is 'as new' with exceptional  depth, power and resonance and the final vocal has zero.  The closing instrumental that begins with Butler's driving deep bass is perfect and to the end it plays with genuine precision.  This is undoubtedly a Mint version to end the side with.  Wow!

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The intro on 'Electric Funeral' plays to perfection and the first verse is equally as clean.  The instrumental bridge is flawless and the second verse again plays with sublime clarity and depth.  The mid instrumental keeps up the standard and the 'louder' vocal section is sonically 10/10 also.  The final verse / instrumental is 'as new' as is the long fade out and you will not be surprised to hear this grades as Mint

I can't quite believe the clarity here!  The bass intro and opening vocal on 'Hand Of Doom' play with STUNNING precision - there is not dust tick let alone anything more.  The first high octane passage plays with incredible power and definition and it continues to play with remarkable quality from that point on.  I do not want to repeat myself but there are only so many ways in which to describe perfect audio!  Every quiet and high powered section play with a sonic quality that is second to none - the 'levels' are astonishing.  No exaggeration this classic is 'as new' and the final quiet bass section from Butler plays with precision precision.  MINT in every single way.

I'll keep it brief 'Rat Salad' plays with imperious quality throughout.  The clarity and depth of the audio is again straight out of the 'as new' playbook.  Iommi and Ward lead this instrumental of course and the overall 'sound' is brilliant!  Mint

The entire intro on 'Fairies Wear Boots' is... faultless and the first 'heavy' section is outstanding for a final track.  Ozzy's opening vocal is background free and it continues in the same precise way.  Once again I cannot emphasise enough how immaculate the audio quality is.  Very rarely there is no inner groove distortion and the mid instrumental is... well, unrivalled!  The final vocal section / instrumental passages are of the same exact standard - I played this classic LOUD and I have to repeat there is not one note of distortion and the long fade out - not one dust tick.  This is unequivocally a Mint conclusion to the album and wow.... what an album!  Easily the most immaculate example I have ever listened to.

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner Sleeve

The laminated cover is in superb condition with hardly any wear.  Three of the edges are perfect and only the bottom edge of the front cover has one small area of surface loss as the photos show.  One other small speck in the centre also.  The wide spine is pristine as are all the corners which is a rarity.  The opening edge is similar with only the bare minimum of handling wear and the front cover is super clean with only a couple of tiny specks and that 'rub' by the bottom edge plus a couple of small laminate creases next to the opening edge.  The back cover is stunning with a couple of specks and some very minor rubbing next to the left edge.  The inside of the gatefold is in beautiful condition!  It is often marked but it is so clean here with only a couple of faint specks by the laminate 'fold-over' by the top edge.  The rest is not laminated of course which in a way makes it even more impressive.  This iconic cover has been so well preserved and I think Near Mint- is a fair grade.

The Vertigo inner is in excellent condition overall with no side splits or tears and very little creasing.  The only issue is some browning mainly on the top and bottom edges which is caused by the glue 'showing' through.

6360011 1Y//2▽ 420 1 2  1 0

6360011 2Y//1▽ 420 1 1  1 3

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the tops

GREAT AS DESCRIBED BEST SELLR OF ALL THE UK PEOPLE AND I HAVE BOUGHT FROM ALL OF THEM

Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.

Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++

Another stunning LP from this very reliable and helpful seller.

Very quick delivery. Album exactly as described. Excellent packaging. Once again all perfect. Thanks!!!

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One of the best on Ebay!

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Great seller and great vinyl record, professionally packaged. I’m very satisfied with my purchase and will certainly buy again!

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £20.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £19.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!